Bust turns up fake drugs, pot, handgun

Two Eureka residents were arrested Wednesday after a probation search turned up a handgun, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, according to the Eureka Police Department.

Around 10 a.m., investigators from the department's Problem Oriented Policing unit searched an apartment on the 1400 block of Bay Street in response to complaints that people had illegally moved into the apartment, according to a press release.

Investigators contacted Steven Nicholas Upton, 22, and his girlfriend, Beatrice Braheda Runner, 24, inside the apartment. A search of the apartment revealed a loaded .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver, ammunition, and approximately 24 ounces of processed marijuana bud packed for sale in multiple bags, according to a press release.

Investigators also found evidence of drug sales activity including a digital scale, packaging materials, $1,550 in cash, and a large quantity of cutting agents used to dilute illicit drugs and increase profits, officials said. One cutting agent was packaged in a manner made to look as if it was approximately one ounce of crystal methamphetamine for sale in individual baggies, according to a press release.

Upton and Runner were arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana for sale, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, maintaining a place for the purpose of unlawfully selling, giving away, or using a controlled substance, and other drug-related offenses.

Runner also had five active warrants for her arrest for alleged offenses including possession of a controlled substance, petty theft, and possession of marijuana and was also on formal probation for possession of a controlled substance, according to a press release.